Aeroplane



7 Sept. 15, 1936. v. VOLPICELLI AEROPLANE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1935 Inventor Sept, 15, 1936.

V. L. VOL PICELLI AEROPLANE Filed Oct. 24, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1/ 7 1, VO6ZYICG/ZZ" A llorney Sept. 15, 1936- v. L. VOLPICELLI AEHOPLAN E Filed Oct. 24. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor MM LN A llomep Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AEROPLANE Vito Loreto Volpicelli, Scranton, Pa.

Application October 24, 1935, Serial No. 46,571

2 Claims. (01. 244-15) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in aeroplanes and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is capable of carrying comparatively large and heavy loads on long flights with economy and safety. 4

Another veryimportant object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of whichtakeofls and landings in comparatively restricted areas may be accomplished at low speeds.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide an aeroplane of the character described embodying a novel construction and mounting of wing whereby the speed of descent in case of engine failure will be materially lowered for permitting safe landings to be made under such circumstances.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an aeroplane of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in weight and which maybe manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters ofreference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an aeroplane constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan thereof.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view.

Figure 4 is a view partially in vertical longitudinal section and partially in side elevation.

Figure 5 is a detail view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a centrally located main fuselage I on the sides of which comparatively small fuselages 2 are mounted. Landing wheels 3 are provided beneath the outer fuselages 2 and on the rear end portion of the main or inner fuselage I. It will be observed that the main fuselage I extends rearwardly beyond the fuselages 2 and isprovided with a.

tail assembly which is designated generally by the reference numeral 4.

A radial engine 5 on the forward end or nose of the main fuselage I drives a tractor or puller seat II by a link 20. i

propeller 6. Radial engines I on the forward ends or noses of the outer fuselages 2 drive propellers 8. Auxiliary engines 9 are provided on top of the outer fuselages 2 and drive propellers Ill. The main fuselage I is to accommodate the pilot of the craft and, as best seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, said main fuselage I is provided with a seat II, observation windows I2, etc.

Rising from the top of the main or intermediate fuselage I is a substantially square post I3 having a circular bore (see Figure 5) in which a vertical propeller shaft I4 is journaled. Fixed von the upper end of the shaft I4 is a horizontally arranged lifting propeller I5. The vertical shaft I4 is driven by a horizontal shaft I 6 from the engine 5 through beveled gears II. A clutch I8 controls the drive connection between the shafts I6 and I4, said clutch being operatively connected to a handy lever I9 adjacent the pilot Also rising from the inner fuselage I, and from the outer fuselages 2, are posts 2|. The reference numeral 22 designates a substantially concave-convex circular wing which is floatingly mounted on the upper portions of the posts I3 and 2| between the upper and lower coil springs 23 and 24, respectively. The side portions of the wing 22 are recessed to accommodate ailerons 25. Any suitable means may be provided for actuating the ailerons 25,. also for actuating the control surfaces of the tail assembly 4.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. When taking off, the propeller I5 lifts the plane, assisted, of course, by the wing 22, the propellers 6, 8 and I 0 pulling said plane forwardly. When sufiicient altitude hasbeen reached the propeller I5 may, if desired, be disconnected from the'engine 5 through the medium of the clutch I8. Should engine failure occur the substantially concave-convex circular wing 22. will function somewhat in the manner ,of a parachute to lower the speed of descent.

derstood that changes in the details of c0nstruc-' tion and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope or the invention as claimed;

What is claimed is:--

1. An aeroplane comprising a main fuselage, auxiliary fuselages on each side thereof, posts rising from said fuselages, a rigid, substantially concave-convex circular wing slidably mounted on said posts, and springs mounted on the posts above and below the wing and engaged therewith for yieldingly resisting upward and downward movement oisaid wing on the posts and driving motor for each fuselage.

2. An aeroplane comprising, in combination, an

' resisting upward and downward movement of said wing on the posts.

VITO LORE'IO VOLPICELLI. 

